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side, and the natural result of evenly balancing the numbers of officials and unofficials is friction
and irritation. With this proviso there is, as far as I can judge, no strong objection to increasing the numbers of the Council, except that for practical working purposes the number is already sufficiently large. If however an addition is made, it is
difficult on equitable grounds to resist the conclue sion that another Chinese representative should be appointed. On the other hand, this is contrary to the wishes of the Petitioners as far as I understand them; and Mr. Keswick who, in his interesting and temperate letter, which is enclosed in your despatch, advocates the appointment of an additional unofficial member to the Legislative Council strongly deprecates "the addition to Legislative Council of a second
representative of the Chinese". The balance of
argument therefore appears to be against any change in the present number and composition of the Legisla- tive Council.
the
18. The second suggestion is that an unofficial member should be appointed to the Executive Council. The suggestion is made by Hr. Keswick, and you state in your despatch that you have personally no objection to it, and that the concession would be very nooular and not altogether impolitic. I well realize that the i addition of a gentleman of high standing and great local experience would be a gain to the Executive Council, and I should be prepared to sanction the
further. proposal if you still recommend it after considering
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